A Completely New Kind of Swimsuit ~ StepIn2Now Swimwear

July 17, 2014

By Jennifer Cermak

Another record setting day in the Midwest, and I find it hard to be excited about swimwear when our high temperature of mid-July day may hit 60. So instead of thinking about soaking up some (non-existent) sunshine, I begin to ponder function.

StepIn2Now Swimwear is a new company that offers solution styling geared toward people with arthritis. The genius of the swimsuit is that it is a two-sided design that allows its users to simply step in to it. No twisting, no turning, no bending, and no pulling up the back. The end result is a pain-free put on and take off experience for someone troubled with arthritis and other debilitating conditions.

The suit is constructed with Italian nylon & lycra complete with UPF 50+, and boosts deep solid colors. The 4 color collection is available size 6 to 14, with plus sizes available late this summer.

It is a simple suit, with princess seaming down the front of each panel, and a light shelf bra with removable foam cup lining. The suit fit test on cup sizes B to D went quite well, and was (as expected) incredibly easy to put on, and to take off. It reminds me a little of the leotards I wore in mini gymnastics, but function is the reigning queen with this swimsuit. I understand the need of a solution solver such as this, and hope that it brings many people a little more ease with their daily lifestyle.

Hello Barbara. This is Anne Byrnes the designer of the Stepin2now swimsuit. So far from customers’ comments I think that our swimsuit would be much easier for you to put on than a regular one-piece suit. If you would like to try one please leave me a message at 800-862-4662 or send me an email at stepin2now@gmail.com . Thank you for posting your comment.
Anne B.

Hi! I found a small ad in “Arthritis Today” and looked you up. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 40+ years. I have had more than 35 orthopedic procedures on my hands and feet, a new knee, and then I broke that same leg in the kitchen 2 years ago. Swimming would be very good for me, but I can’t motivate myself to drive to the Y. I have always bought swim wear online, but I never put on a suit, even at home, because the whole business is traumatic — and expensive!
And I certainly don’t want to ask my husband for help putting on a suit…because trying on ANYthing in front of him is excruciatingly embarrassing. But maybe I’ll give your suit a try; the video made it look easy! With artificial finger joints in both hands and both wrists fused, the last sport bra I tried on went zinging across the room like I’d shot it out of a slingshot! Thanks for all your hard work. Please let me know when the Plus sizes are ready! Maybe, with your help, I’ll actually get into a swimming pool!

Hello Nina. Ellen Lewis of Lingerie Briefs forwarded your message to me. I am so glad that you wrote describing the impact of your rheumatoid arthritis AND about the embarrassment you feel being seen in a swimsuit. Embarrassment kept me out of swimsuits for over 20 years. That has almost disappeared now because it so important to be in warm water to be able to keep moving. (well, almost, more like how I look matters less) I do water exercise in a very warm pool (92 degrees) and the increase in mobility has been life-altering for me. That is what I hope will happen for you. I am pretty sure that the Stepin2now swimsuit will work for you and look forward to sending you one. Would you please email me atstepin2now@gmail.com to let me know what size and color swimsuit you might want? Bra size and height also matter because the fabric is “four-way stretch.” If you haven’t yet, I hope you will take a look at https://www.facebook.com/stepin2now to learn more about the suit and our goals. Thank you again for writing. I think your message will encourage other women especially those who feel alone with their arthritis and may need encouragement. Anne Byrnes, Founder of Stepin2now

I was so excited to see the ad for your swim suit! I am a size 4x and I suffer from osteoarthritis, COPD and fibromyalgia. I do drive to the Y to use the warm pool 2 to 3 times a week. The difference in how I feel when I swim consistency is amazing. When I feel bad and am trying to make myself go, fighting with my swim suit always factors into my decision. I have a two piece swim suit from Woman Within. The two piece has been easier than a one piece but I still fight to get the top off when wet. Pretty soon I find myself out of breath and in pain, and discouraged. Please contact me when your plus sizes come out! And please make them up or beyond size 4x. Even we plus size gals need something to put on to be able to exercise!

I have severe scoliosis, osteoarthritis and have had a shoulder replacement. I just returned from a
trip to FL and needed to put on a bathing suit for the first time in several years. I needed to have my
sister help pull my suit on, as my disabilities no longer allow me to do this alone. Hopefully another trip to FL next year, and this time I am hoping your easy on suit would allow me to enjoy the pool much more often than I did this year. I will need a plus size, so please put me on a list to notify when those sizes are available. I will definitely try what looks like the PERFECT solution to my problem.

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Swim Briefs

SWIM BRIEFS
Contributing Authors

ELLEN LEWIS
KIMBERLY BERGER
Ellen Lewis, Publisher of Lingerie Briefs: My merchant’s curiosity has taken me on a swimwear journey from the Miami Swim show to many shops whose robust businesses claim between 10 – 20% generated from swimwear. We began this swim column in order to highlight this potential. My research has led me to a very interesting conclusion: Swimwear is a fit business parallel to Intimates, but Swim stores and Bra Fitting stores approach the process in very different ways. Fit is priority, absolutely, in both venues, but the similarity really stops there.
Kimberly Berger is the founder/owner of Lion's Lair Boutique Located in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Established in 1996, Lion’s Lair Boutique has become paradise for the well-endowed and hard to fit woman. Specializing in larger cup sizes and plus sizes, Lion’s Lair offers the largest selection of cup sized swimwear, lingerie and clothing in the United States, quite possibly the world. Kimberly and her staff were the first to introduce the ‘swim bra’, an underwire garment that is designed to be worn under a tankini shell. The ‘swim bra’ offers the larger cup customer the same support as a bra but is made out of fabrics designed to get wet. Kimberly shared the concept with the designers at Eveden and shortly thereafter Elomi Swimwear was born. Designers from all over the world come to visit and consult with Kimberly and her staff who have truly become the voice of the consumer. It has become a destination store to woman seeking hard to find sizes, and an exceptional shopping experience.